Gulf/East Coast Port Strike Shows the Wisdom of 4PL/Guardians
With Oct. 1 Deadline, Supply Chain Chaos Looms The upcoming Gulf and East Coast port strike is a clear reminder of the value of adopting a 4PL/guardian model to handle supply chain disruptions. Employers might reach a deal with the International Longshoremen’s...
Walmart, Amazon Aim for Your Logistics Marketplace and Intellectual Property
Be Wary of Corporate Behemoths Bearing Gifts That Seem Too Good to Be True Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, the big boys of retail are circling the logistics marketplace again. This time, it’s not just Amazon offering to handle all your...
Metcalfe’s Law, or the Exponential Value of Global Networks
For Hypergrowth, Multiplication Beats Addition How does a law proposed in the early days of telecommunication networks apply to global networks? Easy: When it comes to hypergrowth, multiplication beats addition any day. Let me explain. According to Metcalfe’s Law, the...
Navigating Your Supply Chain Career Path
From Entry Level to the C-Suite, 25 Factors – and Chicago – Can Help In a world of perpetual disruption, is supply chain a good career? You bet. My chosen area of expertise requires strategic thinking, leadership and a deep understanding of global markets. It’s...
Return on Innovation Is Your Real ROI
Why CEOs Need to Invest in Insights and Ideas In the world of ROI, you need returns on a lot more “I’s” than investment. You need return on innovation. To get the “new school” ROI of innovation, you need returns on insights. And you need returns on ideas....
Supply Chain Strategy Makes or Breaks PE Deals
Operational Expertise is Vital – Before and After Acquisitions PE firms work to execute successful turnarounds or carveouts. But too often, supply chain strategies take a back seat when PE firms and companies examine companies to invest in or buy. However, in this era...
Peak 2024: Why You Need to Start Now
Logistics Capacity, Ports, Drayage Are Already Problematic Think you have time to get transportation options in place for Peak 2024? Well, If you haven’t started by now, you should. Yes, the weather is hot. The family wants to hit the beach. You want to fish. Or...
Why Your Warehousing Must Embrace Labor on Demand
Smart Companies Are Preparing Now for Peak Holiday Shopping and Shipping The increasingly disruptive labor landscape will continue to bedevil warehouse operators as we approach the peak season of 2024. 2023 brought significant challenges, but warehouse labor shortages...
Taylor Swift, Peak Season and Land Use – Yes, They All Connect
Just About Everything Affects the Future of Work Quick: How are Taylor Swift, peak season and changing land use alike? All three affect the future of work, future sales and supply chain disruption. For decades, retail and eCommerce sellers have adjusted for peak...
Massive Tariffs Will Create Massive Supply Chain Disruptions
Trade Wars Will Force Leaders to Redesign Their Global Networks When it comes to supply chain disruption, “you ain’t seen nothing yet.” My apologies to Bachman-Turner Overdrive and 1970s music. But that phrase captures the consequences of...